When the weather turns gray, you need a hug in a cup. Make spiced apple cider. Pour 4 cups of apple cider (the cloudy kind, not the filtered juice) into a pot. Add a cinnamon stick, 3 cloves, and a slice of orange.
Simmer for 15 minutes. That’s it. Your kitchen will smell like a holiday romance novel. Surprising fact: Apple cider has more antioxidants than green tea, which means this drink is basically a health miracle while you watch Netflix.
Serve in a mug, and if you want to be extra, garnish with a star anise. People will think you’re a witch (in a good way). Cold version: chill the cider after simmering and serve over ice with a splash of bourbon-flavored extract (non-alcoholic, of course).
So go forth, my sober-curious friends. Infuse, shake, and pour. Your kitchen is now a bar, your guests will be impressed, and the only hangover you’ll have is from too much sugar. And that’s a delicious problem to have.
